Toys and games wait to be played with in one of the many classrooms at the new Child Development Center, Jan. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new CDC had it’s ribbon cutting Jan. 13, here. The $11 million project was funded through the Base Realignment and Closure based on the scheduled relocation of families from the 7th Special Forces Group and the arrival of the joint strike fighter in 2011. The CDC will open for child care Jan. 17. When all the CDC facilities open, they will care for 744 children on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

(Left to right) Senior Airman Jacob McGlothlin and Airman 1st Class Thomas Howard, of Eglin Honor Guard members, build a base for a playhouse at the new Child Development Center, Jan. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new CDC had a ribbon cutting Jan. 13, here. The $11 million project was funded through the Base Realignment and Closure based on the scheduled relocation of families from the 7th Special Forces Group and the arrival of the joint strike fighter in 2011. The CDC will open for child care Jan. 17. When all the CDC facilities open, they will care for 744 children on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Col. Antonio Douglas, the 96th Air Base Wing vice-commander, is joined by Levi Howard and Kayla Watkins in cutting the ribbon at the new Child Development Center Jan. 13 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

(Left to right) Senior Airman Jacob McGlothlin and Airman 1st Class Thomas Howard, of Eglin Honor Guard members, build a base for a playhouse at the new Child Development Center, Jan. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new CDC had it’s ribbon cutting Jan. 13, here. The $11 million project was funded through the Base Realignment and Closure based on the scheduled relocation of families from the 7th Special Forces Group and the arrival of the joint strike fighter in 2011. The CDC will open for child care Jan. 17. When all the CDC facilities open, they will care for 744 children on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A Child Development Center kitchen worker opens up new utensils, Jan. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new CDC had it’s ribbon cutting Jan. 13, here. The $11 million project was funded through the Base Realignment and Closure based on the scheduled relocation of families from the 7th Special Forces Group and the arrival of the joint strike fighter in 2011. The CDC will open for child care Jan. 17. When all the CDC facilities open, they will care for 744 children on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

1/17/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Child Development Center was held here Jan. 13. The CDC opened to care for children Jan. 17.

The $11 million project was funded through Base Realignment and Closure, to accommodate the relocation of families from the 7th Special Forces Group and the arrival of the joint strike fighter. The 7th SFG alone added more than 2,200 military members to Team Eglin.

The CDC project was also funded to relieve the over-burdened child care waiting list, which has been as high as 700. Once the three centers are online, they will care for 744 children on a daily basis.

Evelyn Acevedo, a child care provider for four and five-year-old children, was excited about the new CDC.

"This facility will help us take care of the children who are waiting to be here," she said. "We will be able to provide quality care here."

The CDC falls under the cognizance of Lt. Col. Jason Delamater, the 96th Force Support Squadron commander, who was one of the speakers at the CDC's grand opening.

"Adding a facility like this to Eglin expands one of the most important services we provide," he said. "Taking care of our service members and their families is one of our core requirements. When that service member has peace of mind in knowing their children are being taken care of, they can focus completely on the mission in front of them."